Old Firm united as both Celtic and Rangers supporters back a Yes vote for referendum, poll reveals

CELTIC and Rangers fans have found a cause that unites them – Scottish independence.

A snap survey of supporters has found a majority of both Old Firm teams’ fans are backing a Yes vote in September’s referendum.

The poll by Panelbase looked at voting intentions among the support of Scotland’s top clubs for the first time.

Although the results are not scientific, the snapshot suggests that 48 per cent of Celtic fans will vote Yes, compared with 40 per cent planning to vote No. The rest are apparently undecided.

Among Rangers fans, support for independence was placed at 45 per cent – with 41 per cent likely to vote No.

But supporters of Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone are the most ardent Unionists, with 94 per cent set to vote No.

For the Yes camp, the seats at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park are where they will find most backers, with 59 per cent planning to vote for independence.

Of the 12 Premiership clubs, plus Rangers – who will play in the Championship next season – a majority of fans of eight teams said they will vote No.

Panelbase surveyed more than 1000 Scots for the poll, which was carried out for pro-independence website Wings Over Scotland.

Around 400 of those questioned said they supported one of the teams. The most popular club – with more than 130 respondents – was Rangers.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, a Rangers fan, said last night: “I’m sure when Rangers fans realise that voting Yes means giving up the UK, the pound, their British passport, the Union Flag and possibly even the Queen, they will be flooding to the polling stations to vote No in September.”

A spokesman for the Yes Rangers group said: “Although I understand the number asked was relatively small, it’s a pleasant surprise to see more Rangers supporters voting Yes than No.

“We’re seen as the traditional British club and our supporters Unionist by default. But we’re affected as much as everyone else by the poor decisions of successive Westminster governments.

“We have a once in a generation chance to change things for the better and I think more of our supporters are realising this.”

Most supporters of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian, Inverness, Ross County, St Johnstone and St Mirren are in the No camp.

Of the County fans who responded, none committed to backing independence, though 39 per cent were undecided.

A majority of fans of Celtic, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Partick and Rangers are in the Yes camp.